Health chief urges action after dengue deaths

n the wake of a dengue fever outbreak that claimed four lives and infected more than 1 100 Barbadians, a top disease fighter has called for renewed vigilance in controlling mosquito breeding sites across the island.

The Queen Elizabeth Hospital’s Director of Clinical and Diagnostic Services, Dr Corey Forde stressed that individual and community action remains crucial in preventing future outbreaks, despite recent global advances in dengue research.

The outbreak, which began in October 2023 and recorded 1 133 confirmed cases, was officially declared over by the Ministry of Health in May 2024. However, health authorities warn that sporadic cases could emerge during the rainy season.

Speaking on the QEH Pulse Radio show on Monday, Dr Forde said: “There’s been a lot of work going on globally on dengue fever, from vaccines to manipulation of mosquitoes. But despite all of that, if there’s no vector, like the mosquito, or a reduction in the vector, the risk of transmission is going to be down.”

The health director urged Barbadians to focus on “simple things” such as clearing stagnant water and removing water-collecting items from their yards.

“How can every single Barbadian impact the transmission of vector-borne diseases like mosquitoes? It’s the simple things… throwing out bottles and [getting rid of] old tyres, and even in neighbourhoods with lots of old vehicles catching water,” he said.

Drawing parallels with the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr Forde stressed the importance of community cooperation.

“If COVID didn’t teach us anything in Barbados, we’re never going to learn. If we work together as a team on these diseases, we’ll do much better, not only in Barbados but globally,” he said.

He highlighted the need for neighbours to work together: “We have to be our neighbour’s keeper because sometimes our property is fine, but our neighbour’s next door is not good.”

“Every little action counts,” Dr Forde added. “When each person takes responsibility for their surroundings, we can collectively diminish the breeding grounds for mosquitoes and lower the incidence of dengue cases across the island.” (SM)